56:1   The LORD says to his people, "Do what is just and right, for soon I will save you.

56:2   I will bless those who always observe the Sabbath and do not misuse it. I will bless those who do nothing evil."

56:3   A foreigner who has joined the LORD's people should not say, "The LORD will not let me worship with his people." A man who has been castrated should never think that because he cannot have children, he can never be part of God's people.

56:4   The LORD says to such a man, "If you honor me by observing the Sabbath and if you do what pleases me and faithfully keep my covenant,

56:5   then your name will be remembered in my Temple and among my people longer than if you had sons and daughters. You will never be forgotten."

56:6   And the LORD says to those foreigners who become part of his people, who love him and serve him, who observe the Sabbath and faithfully keep his covenant:

56:7   "I will bring you to Zion, my sacred hill, give you joy in my house of prayer, and accept the sacrifices you offer on my altar. My Temple will be called a house of prayer for the people of all nations."

56:8   The Sovereign LORD, who has brought his people Israel home from exile, has promised that he will bring still other people to join them.

56:9   The LORD has told the foreign nations to come like wild animals and devour his people.

56:10   He says, "All the leaders, who are supposed to warn my people, are blind! They know nothing. They are like watch dogs that don't bark---they only lie around and dream. How they love to sleep!

56:11   They are like greedy dogs that never get enough. These leaders have no understanding. They each do as they please and seek their own advantage.

56:12   'Let's get some wine,' these drunkards say, 'and drink all we can hold! Tomorrow will be even better than today!' "